News of Interest for Late-in-Life Moms February 11, 2008

In the news:

Acupuncture may hike odds of pregnancy
A scientific review suggests acupuncture might improve the odds of conceiving if done right before or after embryos are placed in the womb, according to results published in the British journal BMJ.
While the surprising finding is far from proven, some fertility specialists say they are hopeful this relatively inexpensive and simple treatment might ultimately prove to be a useful add-on to traditional methods.

Hyper kid? Sleep apnea may be culprit
Obstructive sleep apnea, which affects 2 percent of children, has made headlines in recent years because it's more common in obese youth. Still, experts say, sleep apnea is often overlooked by doctors. Some fear children are being inappropriately diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and medicated, while the underlying sleep problem goes untreated.

Cost of fertility treatment calculated
The cost of giving birth using assisted reproduction technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) exceeds $100,000 when the probability of a live birth falls below 15 percent, according to a new study.
Researchers calculated the probability of a live birth following assisted reproduction technologies based on the age of the women and levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a surrogate measure of ovarian reserve, and calculated the cost of a live birth. Such information is "vital for patient counseling," researchers said, adding that "couples who are considering fertility treatments need the best information possible."

Study says bullying harms children's mental health
There is strong evidence that being bullied can cause children to develop depression and anxiety, according to a new study of twins.
Researchers studied identical twin pairs in which one experienced bullying between the ages of 7 and 9 and the other did not. The bullied twin was significantly more likely to have symptoms of internalizing problems at age 10, researchers found.